Valuentum Exclusive Analysis for the Discerning Investor

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Jul 19, 2021

Conagra Brands Facing Major Inflationary Headwinds
Image Shown: Conagra Brands Inc recently reduced its full-year guidance for fiscal 2022 in the face of major inflationary headwinds. Image Source: Conagra Brands Inc – Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2021 IR Earnings Presentation. On July 13, the company behind the Slim Jim, Duncan Hines, Gardein brands (among other), Conagra Brands reported fourth quarter earnings for fiscal 2021 (period ended May 30, 2021) that beat both consensus top- and bottom-line estimates. However, its guidance for fiscal 2022 came in a bit light in the face of major inflationary headwinds which saw shares sell off initially after the report was published. Please note that its fiscal 2020 was a 53 week reporting period while its fiscal 2021 was a 52 week reporting period, making GAAP year-over-year comparisons noisy, and that is before taking the coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) pandemic into account.

Jun 1, 2021

ICYMI -- Video: Exclusive 2020 -- Furthering the Financial Discipline
In this 40+ minute video jam-packed with must-watch content, Valuentum's President Brian Nelson talks about the Theory of Universal Valuation and how his work is furthering the financial discipline. Learn the pitfalls of factor investing and modern portfolio theory and how the efficient markets hypothesis holds little substance in the wake of COVID-19. He'll talk about what companies Valuentum likes and why, and which areas he's avoiding. This and more in Valuentum's 2020 Exclusive conference call.

Mar 26, 2021

General Mills Prepares for Cost Inflation, Pet Business Growing Rapidly
Image Source: General Mills Inc – Third Quarter of Fiscal 2021 IR Earnings Presentation. On March 24, General Mills posted third quarter earnings for fiscal 2021 (period ended February 28, 2021) that beat consensus top- and bottom-line estimates on a GAAP basis, though its adjusted non-GAAP bottom-line performance missed consensus estimates. General Mills has seen demand surge higher for its products in the wake of the coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) pandemic as households stockpiled goods and started eating at home more often. The company posted a solid fiscal third quarter earnings report, though its outlook is facing headwinds as General Mills is contending with cost inflation concerns. Shares of GIS yield ~3.4% and are trading just above our fair value estimate as of this writing, after selling off in the wake of its latest earnings report.

Feb 2, 2021

Mondelez Capturing Share, Generating Strong Free Cash Flow
Image Source: Mondelez International Inc – November 2020 IR Presentation. On January 28, snacks giant (generates most of its annual revenues from biscuits, chocolates, gum and candy) Mondelez International reported fourth quarter earnings for 2020 that beat both consensus top- and bottom-line estimates. Management noted in the earnings press release that the firm “enter[ed] 2021 in a strong position financially and in the marketplace which gives us confidence that we can deliver on our long-term growth targets in 2021 and beyond.” Mondelez reported 3.7% net organic revenue growth in 2020, supported by favorable volume and pricing movements, and negatively impacted by product mix. The firm’s GAAP revenues were up just under 3% year-over-year in 2020, held down by foreign currency headwinds.

Jan 29, 2021

Starbucks Expects to Recover in Fiscal 2021
Image Shown: Shares of Starbucks Corporation appear fairly valued at this time. The top end of our fair value estimate range sits at $100 per share of SBUX.We're reiterating our fair value estimate of $80 per share of Starbucks, and the top end of our fair value estimate range sits at $100 per share. As of this writing, shares of Starbucks appear to be fairly valued at this time. While Starbucks’ operations are rebounding and its guidance for fiscal 2021 indicates the firm expects ongoing COVID-19 vaccine distribution activities will have a powerful impact on its near-term financial performance, the firm’s current share price already takes into consideration its pending recovery, in our view. We are not interested in adding Starbucks to any of our newsletter portfolios at this time.

Dec 14, 2020

Starbucks’ Long-Term Outlook Is Improving
Image Shown: Starbucks Corporation sees the total addressable market for coffee products growing by a decent clip over the coming years, which is forecasted to reach ~$450 billion in 2023. Image Source: Starbucks Corporation – 2020 Biennial Investor Day Presentation. On December 9, Starbucks Corp hosted its biennial Investor Day meeting, held virtually this year due to the ongoing coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) pandemic and updated its financial guidance for the next several fiscal years. For reference, Starbucks’ GAAP revenues and GAAP operating income fell 11% and 62% year-over-year, respectively, in fiscal 2020 (period ended September 27, 2020) as the company contended with headwinds created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking ahead, Starbucks expects to realize a “significant rebound” in fiscal 2021 and “outsize growth” in fiscal 2022, particularly as it concerns its non-GAAP EPS performance. We expect to raise our fair value estimate modestly upon the next update.

Sep 3, 2020

Update: Frequently Asked Questions About Valuentum Securities, Inc.
Valuentum (val∙u∙n∙tum) [val-yoo-en-tuh-m] Securities Inc. is an independent investment research publisher, offering premium equity reports and dividend reports, as well as commentary across all sectors/companies, a Best Ideas Newsletter (spanning market caps, asset classes), a Dividend Growth Newsletter, modeling tools/products, and more. Independence and integrity remain our core, and we strive to be a champion of the investor. Valuentum is based in the Chicagoland area. Valuentum is not a money manager, broker, or financial advisor. Valuentum is a publisher of financial information. We address a number of questions from both subscribers and visitors to our site.

Sep 1, 2020

Valuentum Website Overview
Overview of the key features of www.valuentum.com (03:55). Valuentum (val∙u∙n∙tum) [val-yoo-en-tuh-m] Securities Inc. is an independent investment research publisher, offering premium equity reports, dividend reports, and ETF reports, as well as commentary across all sectors/companies, a Best Ideas Newsletter (spanning market caps, asset classes), a Dividend Growth Newsletter, modeling tools/products, and more. Independence and integrity remain our core, and we strive to be a champion of the investor. Valuentum is based in the Chicagoland area. Valuentum is not a money manager, broker, or financial advisor. Valuentum is a publisher of financial information.

Jun 23, 2020

Kroger Fighting for Market Share in the Online US Grocery Business
Image Source: The Kroger Company – Fiscal 2019 Annual Report. On June 18, The Kroger released its first quarter fiscal 2020 earnings (period ended May 23, 2020) that beat both top- and bottom-line estimates. Comparable store sales (excluding fuel) grew by 19% year-over-year as consumers flocked to its various grocery stores and supermarkets (under brands such as Fred Meyer, Fry’s Marketplace, Pick ‘n Save, and others) to stock up on consumer staples products as the coronavirus (‘COVID-19’) spread across North America. Kroger’s digital sales surged 92% year-over-year last fiscal quarter as curbside and home delivery options have become increasingly popular during the pandemic. Shares of KR yield ~2.0% and are trading in the upper bound of our fair value estimate range as of this writing.

Jun 16, 2020

Reiterating Our Bullish Long-Term View on Stocks
Image: The NASDAQ 100 Index remains resilient, bouncing off support, after breaking out to new highs recently. Some of our best ideas are included in the NASDAQ 100, and our favorite concentrations include exposure to big cap tech and large cap growth. We continue to be bullish on equities for the long run. In addition to unlimited quantitative easing and "whatever it takes, squared" Fed policy, today, June 16, the Trump administration announced that it is weighing a $1 trillion stimulus bill to help support the economy. While uncertainties remain regarding specifics of the bill (it might include state assistance, extension of unemployment benefits, etc.), the move is consistent with the outsize spending we expect to further bolster the bull case, "ICYMI -- Stay Optimistic. Stay Bullish. I Am." We continue to emphasize that, in light of unlimited QE and runaway fiscal stimulus, the longer-duration components of intrinsic values are expanding considerably, and as a result, fair values, themselves, are actually rising during this recession and pandemic [a good estimate of the value of the S&P 500 today may be between 3,530-3,920, as outlined in the following: "Scribbles and More Newsletter Portfolio Changes.]."